Royal Caribbean

Jewel of the Seas Cruise – 2009

Preamble:

Linda and I learned a lesson long ago. Make the trip from home to the cruise terminal at least a day ahead of time.  Sometimes we use a pre-cruise package from the cruise line and sometimes we do it ourselves.  If it’s a terminal we can drive to, we make a reservation at a hotel that is close to the pier, provides shuttle service to and from the terminal and they allow us to leave the van in their parking lot.  In this case, not only were we in the area of the terminal but – parking at the terminal is $20/day = $220, parking at the Rodeway Inn was $5/day = $55.  The $165 delta easily paid for our room and meals with a little left over.

A bigger driving factor is stress elimination.  I remember at least two instances that convinced us this is the best thing to do.  Long ago, in February, we were flying from Boston to Miami for a cruise that left that day.  We arrived at the airport for an 8 AM flight and found the airport in a pea soup ocean fog. Nothing was flying. The fog hung on and hung on. We were travelling with four relatives and everyone was getting nervous.  About noon, we boarded our flight but just sat there – time was getting close for our 5 PM cruise ship leaving the dock.  The stress level was rising more and more. The flight finally did leave and we got to the ship with an hour to spare. All of us were tired out and stressed to the max.

Another example – we did fly out a day ahead of time to Acapulco.  The weather was terrible and we barely got through a connection in Dallas.  But we made it. Phew!  We got to the hotel late after a whole day of travelling, lines, delays, unknowns. The next day we were loaded onto a tour bus and had a nice tour of the area - including seeing the famous cliff divers. We finished the tour at the ship. The ship was supposed to leave at 5 PM.  It didn’t.  The whole ship waited and waited.  We were waiting for 100 passengers that were trying to get through Dallas and a vicious snow storm. We finally left many of the 100 behind – to catch up with us at our first stop.

Enough of that – here is the journal of our 11 night cruise that included a trip through the Atlantic side locks of the Panama Canal aboard the Jewel of the Seas.  This ship is of the Radiance class.  We sailed on the Radiance long ago and I really liked this ship. 

My Journal

Sunday, April 12, 2009 – Easter Day – The trip begins

We had a busy morning completing the final preparations for our journey. But, soon we were ready to go. We brought Duncan to vacation with Jean and Karl while we’re gone.  They love dogs and are happy to have Duncan for a while.  We left The Plantation about 9:30 AM and got to the Roadway Inn in Miami about 2. We stopped several times, including once for lunch. The last 50 miles were very trying, construction and traffic.

We checked into room 137.  Not exactly 5 star, but clean and with a flat screen TV.  We walked to the lobby and asked about a restaurant.  The shuttle driver jumped into the conversation and talked us into going to Bayside for a bit.  We agreed and he drove us over – it was a 5 minute drive. It is a large outdoor mall you might say, on the water.  Very crowded, but nice.  We had dinner at an Argentine Restaurant called The Knife.  Order at one end of a counter and pick-up at the other and find a seat. It was pretty good – not great.

Called Freddie (the shuttle driver) to come and get us.  He was there in about 20 minutes.  Back to 137.

TV – Amazing Race and Celebrity Apprentice.  To bed.

Monday, April 13, 2009 – Boarding the ship, The Jewel of the Seas.

I was awake at 5:30 AM and up at 6.  Unfortunately I couldn’t tiptoe enough and woke Linda.  There is no coffee in the room or in the lobby – restaurant opens at 7.  So – we waited until 7 and went down for our free continental breakfast.  Coffee, juice and toast.  So – we both added a couple of egg, at additional cost of course. We got ready to go. Hung around and then checked out about 10 to go over to the ship. Soon, the shuttle pulled in and unloaded a bunch of new arrivals. We loaded up the baggage and headed off for a 10 minute ride to the Miami Piers and The Jewel of the Seas. Ooops – road construction led to a massive traffic jam and we got to the pier 45 minutes later.  Oh well.  We went through security, checked in quickly and then we were guided to a specific area to be seated.  Time 11:30.  Sat for a while as the room filled up but soon they started boarding.  We were up on Deck 12 in The Windjammer having some lunch at 12:15.  They let us into our room (9560) at 1 and all’s well.  Our baggage was delivered by 2:15.  We took a walk around the upper decks and then came back to our home for the next 11 days – cabin #9560.

The next event was the abandon ship drill at 4:45.  We waited in our room until all the horns and bells started.  Linda and I headed for the stairway shown on our door – a “crew only” stairway.  I had started down the stairs when they stopped me and made us go down the normal stairs.  It wasn’t too long but crowded and slow getting back to 9560.

Scouted out the ship a bit more and then headed to The Tides Dining Room for our first dinner at table #444.  It’s a table for 8 at the bottom of the stairway from deck 5, the upper level of the dining room.  Only one other couple showed up – Eileen and Lester from Ft. Lauderdale. We had a great time getting to know them and our waiter Efren from the Philippines and the assistant waiter, Roberto from Panama.  Where the other 4 folks are AWOL. 

We all had excellent meals though Linda did send back a cod dish that she didn’t like – got prime rib instead.  We finished up in time to head for the show.  It was a good welcoming show introducing a lot of the senior staff and then a very good comedian, Bruce Gold.  Back to 9560.

Watched TV for a bit and to bed.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 – A Sea Day

A fitful night’s sleep and up at 6 AM.  Went up to The Windjammer for some coffee only to find we couldn’t get in until its opening time of 7 AM.  They did have coffee adjacent to an area that was dimly lit, but had coffee and pastries. We (the early morning bunch) suffered through and finally got into The Windjammer at 7 (this was a daily event).  About 7:30, I got two coffees and went back to 9560.  Linda was up and dressed so we talked about things to do today until after 8.  But first, down The Tides for a sit-down breakfast.

We had some nice companions for breakfast.  Next, off to look around. The ship is laid out similar to The Radiance, one of my favorite ships.  We went from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles on her maiden cruise. So we got familiar with the Jewel quickly.  Back to 9560 and laid plans for the rest of the morning.  For me – sit on the patio and read some Tom Clancy – for Linda – she was off with her schedule of several things she wanted to do.  We will meet at the entrance to The Tides at noon.

We did that, met at 12, and had a good lunch.  We went up to deck 11, in the pool area where they held a Caribbean Line Dance.  It was certainly different.  Linda joined in and after a bit I took a stroll around the upper decks.  50 MPH apparent wind.  Back to 9560 and read more of Tom Clancy.  Linda came in after a bit and we both took a little nap.

Time to get ready for a formal night dinner. A word about that.  When we started cruising, all the men wore tuxedoes for formal nights. The number of tuxes has decreased to the point where there are very few tuxes in sight. This was the first cruise I didn’t wear a tux.  I kind of miss that ritual. First was a welcome presentation in the Safari room.  The Captain welcomed us (Standing Room Only) aboard.  Some statistics, 2146 customers from 38 countries, 850 crew from 64 countries.

Dinner was great the meal was excellent and our missing 4 were present and accounted for. They are friends, two couples travelling together, from South West Missouri, Cindy and Ernie, and Laura and Randy.  They are great additions to our table.

Cindy and Ernie	Elaine and Lester	Laurie and Randy

Back to 9560 and then off to The Coral Theater.  The show was OK.  Broadway type production – but not the best I’ve seen.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 – At Sea

I slept much better last night. Up at 5:45 AM and went up to The Windjammer.  Read and watched the sunrise until about 7. Got coffee for us and brought it back to 9560.  Bright day and the winds have gone down.

We went upstairs to The Windjammer for breakfast.  Mostly hung around and generally relaxed all morning. We had lunch at The Windjammer also.  We sat with a couple to be near a window and soon found out that they lived in Royal Highlands, a community similar to ours, 4 miles down the road, until about 4 years ago when they moved to Homosassa.  We had a nice chat. The weather is staying about the same – windy but warm and nice.

We then went for a long walk around the ship, a stop at the photo area and then a stroll on the promenade deck.  Nice day.  To 9560 for a little R&R and then getting ready for dinner.  Casual night tonight.

To dinner and then The Coral Theater.  The show tonight was The Platters.  This group is the “original” Platters. Actually only one of them is the “original” but they were great and got standing ovations several times – great show.

Back to 9560 for some R&R, TV and to bed.

Thursday, April 16, 2009 – Aruba

Woke about 6 AM and so did Linda.  We got our act together, had breakfast in The Windjammer and headed out to Palm Beach on Aruba. It’s still as beautiful as it was the last time we were here. We stayed until about 11 and then caught taxi back to Oranjestad.  We wandered around there a bit and then back to 9560.  Changed and up to the Solarium for some R&R. The Solarium. This is a great place.  It’s adults only, a warm pool, quiet, pleasant surroundings.

We had a quiet afternoon that included a little nap.  We watched as we left Aruba at 3 PM.  A short stay. We had another good dinner with all eight of us present and accounted for. I am troubled by the limited menu they are presenting compared to previous cruises.

We went back to 9560 for a bit and then down to The Coral Theater.  The show was a comedy team - Mario and Daniel.  A very good show without any vulgarity.  Note – the theater is getting filled every night and all the “best” seats are taken by 8:30 for a 9 o’clock show.

Back to 9560 – a little TV and to sleep.

Friday, April 17, 2009 – Cartagena, Columbia

Turned clocks back last night.  Up and at’em at 6.  Upstairs to The Windjammer for coffee until they opened at 7. We’re still cruising towards Cartagena. I got two cups and headed down to wake Linda.  She was up and ready to go. Back up to The Windjammer and a full breakfast.  We’re not going to The Tides dining room this cruise - because it doesn’t open until 8.  The wind is at our back making a stroll on the upper decks very comfortable.  Linda went to the Solarium Spa for a massage and I came went back to the verandah of 9560 to catch up this journal.

We pulled in to Cartagena, Columbia on schedule – 12:00 noon. We are berthed beside the Island Princess. We have sailed on her in the past; a fifteen day round trip from Los Angeles with five stops in Hawaii. Linda and I had lunch at The Windjammer and then headed to the shore.  The immediate area around us is said to be secure but outside of that it is not. We stayed there for a while. It was pretty nice with lots of tourist stuff. We purchased a wind chime, looked around some more and then back to the ship. 

We changed and went up to the Solarium for a swim. Next, a movie and it was time to prepare for dinner.

There are two “specialty” (25$/person additional) restaurants aboard this ship. They are The Portofino and The Chops Grill. Tonight we joined Lester and Elaine at The Chops Grill. It was an excellent meal and service.  We all enjoyed it.

After dinner, we headed for The Coral Theater.  Not long to wait and the show started.  Tonight was a comic/singer, Judy Kolba.  She was very good even though she was ill.

Back to 9560, some TV and to bed.

Saturday, April 18, 2009 – At Sea

Up and at’em about 6 AM. Coffee and reading until 7:15 when I brought a cup to Linda.  Noted that we seemed to be sailing slow.  I noticed it last night after we left Cartagena. I guess that the ships computer is pacing our speed to arrive at the Panama Canal tomorrow at the right time.

Up to The Windjammer for breakfast and then we settled in for a quiet at sea. Windy with a slight roll all day and last night.  Several reports of seasickness.

Randy didn’t make it to dinner, not feeling well. The menu continues to cause comment among everyone at the table.  It does seem a little unimaginative.

Went to the show – to get a seat that we like we are now going direct from dinner to the show that starts at 9 PM.  I even brought my book last night for the 50 minute wait.  The entertainment was singer, comic and impersonator.  Not outstanding.

To 9560, some TV and to bed.

Sunday, April 19, 2009 – Panama Canal

Up at at’em at 5 AM.  We were on the approach to the Canal already. I had coffee and reading as the sun came up and we slowly cruised towards the canal.  Brought Linda coffee and we prepared for the day.  We watched our negotiation of the canal from deck 12 on the starboard side. The front of all decks was filled with people 3 and 4 deep.  When we got into the lake, we pulled up near a little park and offloaded those who were going on tours. They tendered in.  We sat stationary for a bit and then reversed our course through the locks.  This time we watched from the front for a bit. Cindy and Ernie were one deck below us. We then went down to the promenade deck. Wow, a completely different view of the process. We were through the canal and tied up to Cristobal Pier by 1 PM.

Lunch in The Windjammer and back to 9560 for some R&R.  Next – we got off the ship far enough to look around the shops and flea market near the pier.

A quiet afternoon until we went to dinner and found only Elaine and Lester there to greet us.  The others adventurers are AWOL again. A good meal. We decided to forego the show and watch a movie in our cabin instead.  I went up to The Windjammer after a bit and brought back some soft serve.  Turned the clocks back another hour.

Monday, April 20, 2009 – Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Up very early with the new time.  Watched the ship dock beside the Enchantment of the Seas. Up to The Windjammer for coffee and reading. Finally finished Bears and Dragons by Tom Clancy.  Time to start another.

Brought coffee to Linda and we prepared for the day.  Breakfast and then back to the cabin. We watched “Vantage Point” on TV while letting all the tour people get off the ship and clear the dock a little.

We got off about 1:30.  Went through the gauntlet of tour guides and cabbies to get out to the streets.  We headed for the “Sea Wall” only to run into a large group of children readying for a parade of some sort.  They had banners identifying each group (they seemed to be grouped by age, kindergarten to high school).  They started off and we watched them all go past. Some had drums and other had xylophones. No other instruments.

Got to the Sea Wall and started walking but soon didn’t like the area.  Headed to the tourist shopping area near the ship. After a while, I headed back to 9560 and Linda stayed out shopping.

Watched a movie on TV and headed down to The Tides for dinner.  Everyone was there tonight.  A better menu and we all had a good meal. Randy got some raw vegetables from the kitchen and made a decorative palm tree on an island.  Looks pretty neat.

We skipped the show and came home to watch TV and hit the rack.  Turned the clocks ahead 1 hour tonight.

TV and to bed.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 – At Sea

Up early – 5 AM.  Upstairs for coffee and start a new book.  At 7, brought coffee down to 9560.

We had a very quiet day today – we both got a lot of reading, some time in The Solarium as well as watching a couple of movies on the TV.

Formal night – showers and put on the formal wear.  Down to dinner at 6.  Everyone was there.  A good meal – surf and turf.  I had one each.  Very good.  Next to the show – put on by The Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers.  Good show with a lot of energy.

Back to 9560 – TV and to bed.  Turned clocks ahead one hour.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 – Georgetown, Grand Cayman

Up and at’em about 5:30 AM.  The Windjammer for coffee and reading until 7.  Took coffee to Linda and we planned our day. Today is a tender in day and we decided we’d stay aboard.  Took a stroll around the ship and then changed into bathing suits.  Spent about 2 hours in the Solarium.  Linda hooked up with an aquasize class.  She had a ball.  Next – up to deck 13 and some miniature golf.  We played 2, 9 hole rounds.  Great weather.  Back to 9560 to cool off and watch the activity around the ship.  There are four anchored out and tendering in.  Two Royal Caribbean and two Carnivals.

We went to The Windjammer for lunch and then a stroll along the upper decks.  The ship is empty of guests and very quiet.  Nice. Linda changed up and went topside to catch some rays while I went out on the verandah and read my latest book – in fact I finished it.  Some R&R and it was time to go to dinner.

Excellent meal tonight – Italian night.

We felt a need to get to the theater by 8:15 to get a decent seat for the 9 PM show.  Every seat was taken for most shows.  Tonight’s was Glen Smith, “Best of Las Vegas.”  Not very good and Linda and I left after about ½ hour.

Linda went up poolside to see what was going on.  Back after about ½ hour.  The music was not her style.  TV and to bed.

Thursday, April 23, 2009 – At Sea

Turned the clocks ahead again – so I woke at 6 AM.  Upstairs for the usual coffee and reading. Took coffee down to 9560 for Linda.  Soon we were ready to go upstairs for breakfast.  Met up with Cindy and Ernie.  Great couple – said good bye – they are going to the Chops Grill for dinner.

Changed up and to the Solarium.  Linda was in the pool for aguasize and I started a new book we borrowed from the library. This is a great place to relax, read, swim and rest your eyes.

Back to our room. Linda did most of the packing. We each inspected the room to assure we were leaving nothing behind.

Down to The Tides for dinner. There were only the four of us – the others were at The Chop Grill.  They brought a birthday cake for Linda and several servers sang Happy Birthday. We said good-bye to Efren and Roberto and off we went to The Coral Theater for the good-bye show. The entertainment was great. We’d seen this guy before – but he was very entertaining. He uses a unicycle and a ladder. Outstanding.

Back to 9560; put the luggage out in the hall, TV and to bed.

Friday, April 24, 2009 –

We got up and had our normal coffee routine.  Up to The Windjammers for a full breakfast.  Our tag color is pink, and that means we will be the last to go.  We went to The Coral Theater, deck 6 and waited. We got called at 9:15, processed through customs, got our bags, caught a cab to The Roadway and were on the road northbound about 10 AM.  Home about 2.

ANOTHER GREAT CRUISE – OUR 16^TH

^{P.S. - I took almost 300 pictures, and they're all great. I won't post them all - but here's some I couldn't fit in the journal.}